GhostSec Claim Breaching Iranian Govt Surveillance Software Tool

0
[ad_1]
  • GhostSec claims to breach the FANAP Behnama software, which is apparently used by the Iranian government to surveil and monitor its citizens.
  • The breach has uncovered a treasure trove of data, including approximately 20GB of information on face recognition and motion detection systems.
  • The revelation of this data comes at a time when Iranian citizens are increasingly concerned about civil rights violations.
  • GhostSec plans to make the data public in order to raise awareness about the Iranian government’s surveillance practices.
  • The data also includes tools for car number plate recognition and a system linked to the Single Sign-On (SSO) platform.
  • At the time of writing, the official website of the company running the software was offline (fanap-infra.com).

In a move that has caught global attention, the hacktivist group GhostSec announced a successful breach of the FANAP Behnama software, unmasking what it terms the “Iran regime’s very own privacy-invading software.” 

GhostSec, which was formed around a decade ago to combat online extremism, claims that this breach has uncovered a treasure trove of data – approximately 20GB – including face recognition and motion detection systems utilized by the Iranian government to surveil and monitor its citizens.

The revelation by GhostSec comes at a time when Iranian citizens have expressed widespread outrage over civil rights violations, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in custody last year. This incident, followed by waves of protests that have led to more detentions and casualties, has ignited a fervent debate about individual rights and privacy within Iran.

GhostSec, in a statement posted on their Telegram channel, boldly declared, “FANAP software, Behnama, was entirely breached. A total of around 20GB compressed have been analyzed during the last two months.” In a demonstration of their commitment to the cause, the group intends to make this data public, citing a concern not just for the Iranian people’s rights, but also for the broader implications this breach has on privacy worldwide. 

The cybersecurity analyst firm Cyberint believes that GhostSec’s actions are aligned with their pursuit of human rights for privacy and equality. Cyberint stated, “This exposure seeks to empower the Iranian populace to demand privacy rights in the wake of increased awareness about government surveillance.” 

GhostSec’s move is not just about technology – it represents a fight for civil liberties, a balance of power, and a voice against the intrusive scrutiny that undermines fundamental human rights.

To this end, GhostSec has established a dedicated Telegram channel named “IRAN EXPOSED” where they are systematically sharing insights into the breached data. The group has gone a step further by uploading portions of the compromised Behnama code, including configuration files and API data, providing the public with a behind-the-scenes view of the surveillance software’s capabilities. 

The uploaded data allegedly includes tools for facial recognition-based video surveillance, car number plate recognition, and even a system linked to the Single Sign-On (SSO) platform, all of which are intricately intertwined with citizens’ lives to construct profiles for extensive surveillance.

  1. Speakers and Mics hacked to turn Music Into Surveillance Tool
  2. India’s COVID-19 surveillance tool exposed millions of user data
  3. Deepfakes Are Being Used to Circumvent Facial Recognition Systems

[ad_2]
Source link

HONOR will show off a concept phone at IFA, in addition to Magic V2

0
[ad_1]

HONOR will be hosting a press conference at IFA in Berlin on September 1, and announce its new foldable smartphone, the Magic V2. In addition to that phone, however, HONOR will also show off a concept phone.

HONOR will show us its new concept phone at IFA on September 1

The company confirmed this as it announced a partnership with TIME magazine. The company says that we’re in for a fashion-forward keynote at this year’s IFA. The company said that we’ll “embark on a journey that explores the convergence of technology, fashion, sustainability, and lifestyle”.

HONOR also announced three speakers, including Giles Deacon (Couture Designer at Giles Deacon Group), Bram Van Diepen (Design Director, BURBERRY Menswear), and Anne-Marie Tomchak (Journalist, broadcaster and former Vogue Editor).

Now, we know a lot about the HONOR Magic V2 at this point, as the phone has already launched in China. That concept phone is a mystery, though. HONOR clearly said that we’ll get a “concept phone launch that breaks boundaries across tech and fashion”.

There are a couple of options here This could be a flip phone, the company’s first. Flip phones are usually advertised in interesting ways, and could be easily related to fashion. On the other hand, this could be something else completely, something we haven’t seen before

This phone is a well-kept secret, as it didn’t leak out just yet

HONOR has been very secretive when it comes to this phone, and we didn’t even get a glimpse of it. Considering that the second foldable hasn’t leaked just yet, it makes us think this is something else entirely.

There is also a third option, a more affordable variant of the Magic V2. That is highly unlikely, though, especially considering the fact that HONOR obviously mentioned a ‘concept’ phone. That is likely a device we won’t see become available for purchase. That’s just a guess, though.

In any case, the company’s keynote kicks off at 10 AM CET / 4 AM EST / 1 AM PST / 9 AM BST on September 1, in case you’d like to tune in.


[ad_2]
Source link

Google Chat is getting a complete redesign, new features powered by AI

0
[ad_1]

Google has just announced a new Chat experience powered by AI features like Duet. Featuring AI built-in, the new Google Chat promises a more streamlined user experience, as well as improved functionality.

Thanks to Duet AI, Google Chat will now be able to offer users updates, insights, and proactive suggestions across Google Workspace apps. Google’s Duet AI has been specifically designed to answer complex queries by searching across one’s messages and files in Gmail and Drive, summarize documents shared in a space, and provide a recap of missed conversations.

Visually, the new Google Chat offers a more streamlined user experience, especially thanks to the updated color palette, typography, and visual styling based in Google’s Material 3 design language.

Direct messages and spaces have been bundled together in a unified conversation list. Also, new shortcuts such as a chronological home view, @mentiones, and starred conversations have been added to the app.

Another important aspect of Google Chat, search, has been updated too with a redesigned results page and enhanced features, including suggested queries, autocomplete, “did-you-mean” suggestions, and AI-based relevance ranking results.

On top of that, Google announced a 10x increase to Chat’s limit. In addition, spaces will support up to 500,000 members. At the same time, the Mountain View company revealed that it has decided to integrate Google Groups with spaces in Chat.

These and many other new features and improvements are now rolling out for Google Chat web and enterprise users. Additional functionalities will be added in the coming months, Google confirmed, including Huddles.


[ad_2]
Source link

Threat Actors Abuse Google Group to send Fake order Notifications

0
[ad_1]

Threat actors continue to evolve their spam tactics by utilizing legitimate  Google Groups to send Fake order messages to target multiple users. 

Fake order scams work by notifying victims about the purchase status or confirmation that originally was not placed by the recipient.

They are motivated to steal the victim’s personal credentials – name, address, credit, or banking information, or trick the victim into installing malware on their computer.

Trustwave SpiderLabs has identified a notable surge in these Geek Squad scam email activities delivered via Google Groups.

The new variant of the fake order scam sent to the users to notify them about the victim has been added to the Google group.

Fake Google Notifications Warning

Above is a sample of a scam message sent to the user to join the client support geek squad, and by clicking view, this group will redirect to a fake discussion group.

Document
FREE Demo

Implementing AI-Powered Email security solutions “Trustifi” can secure your business from today’s most dangerous email threats, such as Email Tracking, Blocking, Modifying, Phishing, Account Take Over, Business Email Compromise, Malware & Ransomware

Later, threat actors can automatically add email addresses, even non-Gmail accounts, into a group and start spamming users. 

Fake Email

The spam email notified the users about the renewal of their membership in Geek Squad and the amount for the renewal. The customer ID was mentioned to make it legitimate.

It also leaves the customer care number to contact the support team to avoid charging the amount if they do not wish to continue.

If the victims contact the customer care number mentioned in the email, it will connect with spammers, and they are asked to update the online form.

They then instruct the victims to access a website where an application can be downloaded to access the victim’s machine remotely. 

Once the scammer has remote access, they pretend to process the refund while secretly browsing their files and accessing sensitive information such as personal documents, banking details, and passwords.


These deceptive schemes cause financial harm to victims and lead to breaches of their personal data.

Keep informed about the latest Cyber Security News by following us on Google NewsLinkedinTwitter, and Facebook.


[ad_2]
Source link

Meal delivery service Purfoods announces major data breach

0
[ad_1]

We take a look at a breach notice from food delivery service PurFoods.

An organisation that provides home delivery meals has revealed that around 1.2 million people’s personal data may be at risk, after the company suffered a ransomware attack earlier in the year.

PurFoods, which offers up a service called Mom’s Meals, helps to provide meals for folks in a variety of different personal situations. From its site:

We work with over 500 health plans, managed care organisations, governments, and agencies to provide access to meals for people covered under Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the opportunity for individuals to order meals on their own.

The PurFoods notification reveals that suspicious account behaviour was first seen back in February of this year. An investigation concluded that at some point between January 16 and February 22, 2023, a cyberattack took place. Certain files in the PurFoods network were encrypted, and investigators also noticed tools present which can be used for data exfiltration. As a result, PurFoods says it “can’t rule out” the possibility that data was exfiltrated from one of its file servers.

The notice stresses that so far there has been no evidence of data being misused, which will be some measure of relief for those using the service. Even so, an abundance of caution has led to a variety of advice for those who think they may be impacted.

Here’s who could be affected by the breach according to PurFoods:

The individuals whose information was involved included clients of PurFoods who received one or more meal deliveries, as well as some current and former employees and independent contractors.

The data potentially at risk, which is quite significant, includes:

  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license/state identification number
  • Financial account information
  • Payment card information
  • Medical record number
  • Medicare and/or Medicaid identification
  • Health information
  • Treatment information
  • Diagnosis code
  • Meal category and/or cost
  • Health insurance information
  • Patient ID number
  • Social Security numbers were involved for less than 1% of the total population, most of which are internal to PurFoods.

PurFoods began sending out notification letters by mail on August 25, which included specific information with regard to identity theft protection and availing of “identity restoration services and complimentary credit monitoring”. There’s also a dedicated call center line for people who may have further questions about the breach: (866) 676-4045.

At this point in time, there’s no additional information with regard to the specific ransomware used or whether additional extortion tactics were deployed. The notification does state that this incident is unrelated to the MOVEit attack from a few months prior

This could potentially prove to be costly for the food provider. As The Register notes, many search results for this breach lead to law firms on the lookout for potential clients impacted by the ransomware attack. We may have to wait a while to see if any data actually does leak online, or if PurFoods reveals any more information about the attackers behind the compromise. For now, if you receive a notification letter we suggest keeping a close eye on your finances, watch out for targeted phishing, and call the PurFoods helpline if you are concerned.

How to avoid ransomware

  • Block common forms of entry. Create a plan for patching vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems quickly; disable or harden remote access like RDP and VPNs; use endpoint security software that can detect exploits and malware used to deliver ransomware.
  • Detect intrusions. Make it harder for intruders to operate inside your organization by segmenting networks and assigning access rights prudently. Use EDR or MDR to detect unusual activity before an attack occurs.
  • Stop malicious encryption. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response software like Malwarebytes EDR that uses multiple different detection techniques to identify ransomware, and ransomware rollback to restore damaged system files.
  • Create offsite, offline backups. Keep backups offsite and offline, beyond the reach of attackers. Test them regularly to make sure you can restore essential business functions swiftly.
  • Don’t get attacked twice. Once you’ve isolated the outbreak and stopped the first attack, you must remove every trace of the attackers, their malware, their tools, and their methods of entry, to avoid being attacked again.

Malwarebytes EDR and MDR remove all remnants of ransomware and prevents you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.

TRY NOW


[ad_2]
Source link

Score a free PlayStation 5 when you buy this Sony Mini LED TV

0
[ad_1]

Sony is giving out a free PlayStation 5 when you buy its 75-inch X93L Mini LED 4K Google TV. You can get the pair for just $3,047. Which is actually about $153 lower than the regular price for just this TV. Since it is normally, $3,299. So a pretty good bundle here.

Sony X93L & PS5 bundle – Amazon

Why you should buy the Sony X93L & PlayStation 5

The Sony X93L is one of the best TVs you can buy right now. That’s mainly because it is a Mini LED TV. Which is going to give you all of the advantages of OLED, but in a brighter display. So if you watch a lot of darker shows or movies, they are going to look great on this TV.

Sony has also included Google TV on this one, so you’re getting access to thousands of apps and games right on your TV. This includes apps like Hulu, YouTube, Netflix and so much more. It also has support for Cast and Google Assistant. Sony has also included BRAVIA CORE which gives you access to 4K UHD movies, with 5 credits that you can use to redeem for the latest movies.

Now onto the PS5 front, the X93L does have some exclusive features for the PS5. Hence the bundle. This TV does have HDMI 2.1, which is going to give you features like 4K@120, as well as VRR and ALLM. Giving you the best possible experience with your PlayStation 5. Now with the PlayStation 5, you’re getting the disc version. So you can actually buy physical games to go on with this console, instead of being limited to downloading them. It also has some breathtaking graphics, and some really good games that are exclusive to the platform.

You can pick up the Sony X93L Mini LED TV and the PlayStation 5 today by clicking the link below. This sale won’t last long, so you’d better hurry.

Sony X93L & PS5 bundle – Amazon


[ad_2]
Source link

Hackers Can Exploit Skype Vulnerability to Find User IP Address

0
[ad_1]

Hackers can now capture your IP address and expose your physical location by sending a Skype link, even if you don’t click it.

An IP address, which stands for “Internet Protocol address,” is like a unique digital home address for your device on the internet.

The IP addresses are sensitive addresses because they can reveal certain information about you and your online activities like:-

  • Approximate location
  • Type of device you’re using
  • Websites you visit

In a report shared with 404 Media, it’s been affirmed that the cybersecurity researcher behind this discovery, Yossi, has already notified Microsoft about this vulnerability earlier this month.

After being notified by Yossi, Microsoft initially ignored fixing this vulnerability until 404 Media pushed Microsoft for a patch.

Document
Get a Demo

With DoControl, you can keep your SaaS applications and data safe and secure by creating workflows tailored to your needs. It’s an easy and efficient way to identify and manage risks. You can mitigate the risk and exposure of your organization’s SaaS applications in just a few simple steps.

Reveals User Location

An IP reveals location, especially in less populated areas, due to which this attack potentially threatens the following entities:-

  • Activists
  • Dissidents
  • Journalists

Cooper Quintin, a security researcher and senior public interest technologist at the activist organization the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), verified the vulnerability with a practical demonstration from Yossi.

In the practical demo with Cooper Quintin, Yossi sent a legit link on Skype to Cooper, and without clicking on it, the IP address of Cooper Quintin got exposed.

IP grabbing flaw in action (Source – 404Media)

Moreover, Yossi stated that the IP address issue only affected Skype’s mobile apps, not the Mac version.

In normal chats, apps act as buffers between users, often holding IP info. However, in the case of Skype, it seems unusual, as it shares the IPs if hacked, and this could risk the privacy of pseudonymous dissidents.

It’s been justified that the exploitation of this vulnerability is quite simple, as it involves tweaking a certain link parameter.

For now, 404 Media affirmed that they will not disclose any technical details regarding this vulnerability since Microsoft has not yet fixed this flaw.

Keep informed about the latest Cyber Security News by following us on Google NewsLinkedinTwitter, and Facebook.


[ad_2]
Source link

Cisco VPNs without MFA are under attack by ransomware operator

0
[ad_1]

Several researchers are seeing ransomware attacks targetting Cisco VPNs without MFA

The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) has posted a blog about Akira ransomware targeting VPNs without Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

The Cisco team states that it is aware of reports of the Akira ransomware group going specifically after Cisco VPNs that are not configured for MFA. And they have observed instances where cybercriminals appear to be targeting organizations that do not configure MFA for their VPN users.

One of the reports the team may be aware of was tweeted weeks ago by security researcher and incident responder Aura:

Tweet by incident responder Aura

“I’m just gonna go ahead and say it. If you have:
Cisco VPN
No MFA for it
You may get a surprise knock from #Akira #Ransomware soon.”

Cisco VPN solutions are widely used to provide secure, encrypted data transmission between users and corporate networks, often used by remote employees. Gaining access could allow attackers to extract credentials through LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) dumps to facilitate further movement within the network and elevate privileges if needed.

What the researchers haven’t been able to determine is how the ransomware operators gained access to Cisco VPN’s account login credentials in the first place, also hindered by the fact that Cisco ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) doesn’t feature a logging function for successful logins. Only login attempts with invalid username/password combinations can be found in the logs if logging is configured in the affected Cisco’s ASAs.

It is possible that the criminals acquired valid credentials by purchasing them on the dark web, that they are using a zero-day exploit, or that they are using brute-force or credential stuffing attacks. Credential stuffing is a popular tactic of attempting to access online accounts using username-password combinations acquired from already-breached data dumps. In a brute force attack, attackers typically try a lot of common passwords, or a few common passwords across many usernames which is called password spraying. Password spraying focuses on trying a few passwords across many accounts, often to avoid account lockouts and detection.

Cisco says it has seen evidence of brute force and password spraying attempts. Other researchers say they have found evidence of Akira using Cisco VPN gateways in leaked data posted on the group’s extortion page and seem to be leaning towards the vulnerability scenario.

Whichever way was used to gain access, it has become even more apparent that adding MFA is an important factor in fighting off these attacks.

How to avoid ransomware

  • Block common forms of entry. Create a plan for patching vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems quickly; and disable or harden remote access like RDP and VPNs.
  • Prevent intrusions. Stop threats early before they can even infiltrate or infect your endpoints. Use endpoint security software that can prevent exploits and malware used to deliver ransomware.
  • Detect intrusions. Make it harder for intruders to operate inside your organization by segmenting networks and assigning access rights prudently. Use EDR or MDR to detect unusual activity before an attack occurs.
  • Stop malicious encryption. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response software like Malwarebytes EDR that uses multiple different detection techniques to identify ransomware, and ransomware rollback to restore damaged system files.
  • Create offsite, offline backups. Keep backups offsite and offline, beyond the reach of attackers. Test them regularly to make sure you can restore essential business functions swiftly.
  • Don’t get attacked twice. Once you’ve isolated the outbreak and stopped the first attack, you must remove every trace of the attackers, their malware, their tools, and their methods of entry, to avoid being attacked again.

Malwarebytes EDR and MDR remove all remnants of ransomware and prevents you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.

TRY NOW


[ad_2]
Source link

Best Social Media Android apps – updated August 2023

0
[ad_1]

There are a lot of apps / services that could be considered social media apps these days. Well, in this article, we’ve hand-picked the ones we think are the best in the Android world. There are some apps on this list that you may not even consider social media apps, but they are, at least to an extent. You’ll see some obvious choices listed here, while others are not all that obvious.

Truth be said, there are many more apps available in the Play Store, but we had to stop at a number 10. Do note that the applications shown below are not listed in any specific order. You’ll find our descriptions for every app here, along with a lot of additional information, ranging from the needed Android version to run them, to the pricing of in-app purchases. If you’re interested read on.

Best Social Media Android apps 2023 downloads

Below is a little more information on each app, and a direct link for easy downloading.

All download links go to the app’s Google Play Store listing. Users are always recommended to download apps from Google Play or an authorized app store.

X

X app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.99-$399.99
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

If you live in the US, chances are you’re using X (formerly known as Twitter). If you’re not, well, you’re missing out. X is popular all over the world, though it’s more popular in some markets, and the US is definitely its main market. X is also one of the best social media platforms around. Once you get used to it, it’s difficult to let it go. It can serve you as a hub for many things, actually, which is what makes it interesting.

You can easily use this app for staying in touch with your family and friends, while also using it as your main source of news. You just need to follow the right people / sources, and there you go. It can also be a great business tool in some situations. The Android app is great, and it does support a dark theme. X will remember where you left off while scrolling the feed, which is one of its best features. You can also choose whether you’d like to see your feed chronologically, or let X choose what to show you.

Download X

Facebook

Facebook app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.05-$2,499.99
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Facebook is easily one of the largest and most popular social media networks. Facebook is popular all over the world, and its Android app has gotten a lot better over the years. There are still some bugs in the app, but it’s much better than it was before. It also drains the battery far less than it used to. In other words, the app is now actually quite good. If Facebook is popular where you live, and your friends / family use it, it’s a good choice.

Facebook’s feed is a bit more convoluted than Twitter’s, though, and it works in a different way. Still, you can comment on posts as you can on Twitter, and the general usage scenarios are similar. Facebook is a great business tool as well. If you own a business, you can open up a page on Facebook, and start influencing people all around the world. Facebook also has a great tool for advertising, if that’s something you need.

Download Facebook

Instagram

Instagram app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.05-$999.99
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

If you love photography, Instagram is where it’s at. This app is all about pictures, with a sprinkle of videos pushed to the mix. Instagram is first and foremost an image-sharing platform. You can find various images shared here, but tons of different users, while celebrities also use it for such purposes. It also has a video aspect, though, that you may or may not like.

Instagram’s stories are the main video part of the app. This concept people seem to love, as it allows them to post short clips to share a part of their day, or whatever else they want. The usage scenarios for stories are much different than what you’d see with TikTok videos, though. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so they’re not exactly meant to be used in the same way. Instagram has a lot to offer, and is worth checking out.

Download Instagram

TikTok

TikTok app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.05-$1,200
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

TikTok has been one of the most popular Android apps of 2020, if not the most popular one. TikTok is a short-form video platform, and it managed to keep people sane during the quarantine. Tons of new publishers appeared and became famous on the app during that time period as well. TikTok contains tons of interesting short-form videos, ranging from comedy and landscape videography, to educational videos, and so on.

There’s really a lot on there. The best thing is, TikTok’s algorithms are excellent as well. You’ll need to clarify what you’re interested in, and you’ll get relevant videos. It doesn’t stop there, though, the more you use the app, the better recommendations will arrive to you. TikTok is constantly learning what you like, and is excellent in getting the right content your way. It’s really difficult to stop watching videos once you start, though, so that’s a fair warning.

Download TikTok

Reddit

Reddit app grid image 2022

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.99-$199.99
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 3.2 out of 5 stars

Reddit is also one of the most popular social media networks around, though it’s much different than other apps on the list. This app functions on the basis of ‘subreddits’. So, you can subscribe to various subreddits here, like ‘Android’, ‘Amoledbackgrounds’, and ‘aww’, for example. That way, you can access exactly the content you’re interested in. Luckily, there are tons of subreddits on offer, so you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.

In the ‘Android’ subreddit, you’ll find tons of Android content. From different articles that are quite interesting, to tips and tricks, and so on. The ‘Amoledbackgrounds’ subreddit delivers AMOLED wallpapers for smartphones, while the ‘aww’ subreddit shares cute images. These are just some examples, but there are a ton of interesting subreddits here. You can comment on every post that is submitted to a specific subreddit, and start or participate in various interesting conversations.

Download Reddit

YouTube

YouTube app grid image 2022

 

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: No
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars

YouTube needs no special introduction. This is an app for watching videos, and it grew a lot since it was launched. This is Google’s very own application, and it’s a go-to video app for many smartphone users around the world. There are no time limits for video in this app, as is the case on other platforms. You’ll be able to watch really short videos, to some videos that last an hour or more, it all depends on the channel.

Channels are created by creators all over the world, and each of them provides their unique content. You’ll need to find the right content for you, but once you do, YouTube can serve as a TV replacement even, for some people. It has you covered in a lot of categories, ranging from comedy to technology. YouTube is free to use, but do note that ads are a part of the experience in the free version.

Download YouTube

LinkedIn

LinkedIn app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $29.99-$323.88
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

LinkedIn is an excellent way of staying in touch with your business partners, for finding work, building your business networks, and so on. This is Microsoft’s application, and it’s easily one of the best and most useful apps for businesses. It has been getting better and better over the years. If your business network is good enough, you can easily find work to do really fast, which is a great option to have.

LinkedIn allows you to apply to various jobs that are on offer, that companies offer through the app. You can apply really quickly, and there are a lot of jobs to choose from. The job finder tools is excellent, though this app is also great even if you’re not in search for a new job. It’s great for staying in touch with people from the industry you’re in, and much more than that.

Download LinkedIn

Snapchat

Snapchat app grid image 2022

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.49-$399.99
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars

Snapchat is also quite unique in its own way. It’s essentially a photo chat app. That alone, makes it unique, but the level of options and features that Snapchat offers is insane. On top of that, it has that ‘Stories’ layer, and some location-sharing features as well. All that makes it feel more like a social media app, rather than a messaging app, though it’s essentially a hybrid between the two.

Snapchat is far more popular with young people than it is with older generations, for a good reason. This app comes with tons of filters that you can apply to your images and videos. Those filters are excellent, and can turn you into a completely different person in real time. They make chatting really fun and interesting. If you’re into something like that, this app is definitely worth trying out.

Download Snapchat

Twitch

Twitch app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: $0.99-$299.50
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

Twitch is the app to have if you’re into gaming. This app serves as both a streaming platform, and a social media platform of sorts. You can follow your favorite streamers on Twitch. For example, if you’re into Call Of Duty Warzone, you can find a ton of well-known streamers on the network, and some less-known ones as well. Esports competitions also tend to be available on Twitch.

Chatting is also possible via this app, of course. You can live chat while you watch a stream, or while you’re streaming as well. Twitch is also great for discovering new multiplayer games and IRL videos. The app does come with a dark mode, and it’s actually really good. The UI is excellent, and the app’s performance is on point. It’s fluid, and I’ve personally never had issues with it.

Download Twitch

Pinterest

Pinterest app grid image 2023

– Price: Free to download
– In-app purchases: No
– Size: Varies with device
– Google Play rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Pinterest is a social media network that many people discarded at first, but it managed to grow a lot since its inception. There’s a good reason for it, it offers something no other apps do. This is the place to go if you’re creative, or you need ideas for whatever. It’s great for home design concepts, looking up fashion products, for fitness tips, for getting recipes, and so much more, actually.

This app’s UI is truly excellent, and the app can learn really fast what you’re interested in. At first, you’ll need to share your interests, but the app will become much smarter in time, once it actually sees what you’re looking into and what you’re interested in. On the homepage, you’ll see a feed dedicated to you, filled with interesting content. You can reshare those posts aka ‘pins’, like them, save them on your ‘boards’, and so on.

Download Pinterest


[ad_2]
Source link

Most Google AR projects are facing some major challenges

0
[ad_1]

When it comes to facing challenges, in recent times, Google AR projects have been going through a lot. First, with the long-awaited Project Iris AR glasses and now the mixed reality headset the company is building. Yes, the next evolution in tech is AR and Google knows this, but it is seriously struggling to get things in order.

The mixed reality product is going to be a partnership between Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm. Each tech company has a major role to play in this partnership to ensure that this product is a success. Google will handle software features (and some hardware elements as well), Samsung will handle the product’s specifications (and possibly its design), and Qualcomm will provide the processor it’d run on.

A lot of people might expect this partnership to be in the best interest of the coming mixed-reality headset. While this might be the case, it turns out that Google is losing its grip on the project. Samsung, on the other hand, is gaining control of the project and calling the major shots.

Samsung might limit Google’s reach with the coming Google AR product

According to reports for the folks at SBS Biz, Samsung is already taking control of the Google mixed reality headset. This control involves telling the specifications and features of the coming product. Reportedly, Samsung is also responsible for pushing back the production process of this product, which will affect its launch.

Google might also be in favour of the extension of this headset’s production, but its staff have different views. Despite the delay, some staff members at Google say that the product is still too early and might not be well-baked. Well, on its part, Samsung might be more than ready with the hardware of this product, but in terms of software, Google might need some more time.

It is good to take to mind the changes that have occurred in the AR department at Google. These changes have seen the rise of new project leaders who might consider doing things differently. While the hardware and specifications of this AR product need to be spot-on gorgeous, its software also needs to be impressive.

Both Google and Samsung are up against a common rival with this coming mixed reality headset. Apple is already on track to launch its Vision Pro headset, which it showed off a few months ago. Sadly, Apple seems to be more organized when it comes to the development of its AR product.

Despite the challenges Google is facing regarding its entry into the AR industry, it isn’t giving up. The company still plans to launch its Project Iris AR glasses, but this might take some time. During this wait period, Google might have the opportunity to perfect its art and stand a chance against the competition.


[ad_2]
Source link